Press Releases

Bristol Man Sentenced to 17 Years for Probation Violation Stemming From a Domestic Violence Case

Attorney General Peter Kilmartin announced that last week Superior Court Associate Justice Williams E. Carnes, Jr., ordered Joseph Botelho, (DOB: 2/16/68) of Bristol, RI, to serve 17 years for violating probation for three felony sentences at the time he committed a new offense. The sentence came after a three day probation violation hearing.

It is alleged that on September 28, 2011, Botelho assaulted his wife and her two teenage children. Botelho has an extensive criminal history dating back to 1986. At the time of the most recent incident, he was on felony probation for three separate domestic violence cases with a maximum of 19 years remaining on his sentences.

The East Providence Police Department arrested Botelho after he attempted to run from the police. Arthur Clark, an Inspector with the Office of Attorney General and retired East Providence police officer, assisted in the investigation and liaison with the victim during the probation violation hearing. Special Assistant Attorney General Terence Coyne prosecuted the case for the Office of Attorney General.

The underlying domestic charges, which include one count of felony domestic assault, two counts of simple domestic assault (each charged as the third domestic), and one count of resisting arrest, are pending.